AT&T BYRON NELSON

May 13, 2021

Padraig Harrington

TPC Craig Ranch

Quick Quotes

Q. Padraig, 66 today. Just how good was your round out there?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: You know, I hit 18 greens in regulation. You know, I probably haven't done that a handful time in my whole year, so that was nice. The course is generous. With the moisture, the rain that we've had it softened it up a bit.

So I think the greens are actually in too good condition. It's absolutely perfect. Fairways are perfect. Greens are perfect. Bit of placing, you know, kind of leaves you shooting 6-under par like me and feeling like I should have done a little bit better.

Q. What part of your game was good out there on those perfect fairways?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: You know, I drove it pretty straight. I changed my routine a bit this week, so that was nice. I was better. I was definitely better. So something like that, you know, I did some practice at home. I really struggled my whole career with that transfer from the range to the golf course. Really find it hard.

It's a different rhythm on the range than on the golf course, so I kind of went -- instead of trying to go back to what is perfect for me on the course I went with what I do on the range. I went more with my practice routine rather than what I would consider would be my ideal routine on the course.

Q. What attracted you to play this particular week at this place?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: I always like to play the week before a major. You know, I had intended to come over a couple weeks earlier too, so I was meant to be over at Valspar and I ended up not coming.

So it was meant to be a run of events here. I've always enjoyed the Byron Nelson at the other course, but I really enjoyed actually Trinity Forest last year. It's been a good event for me, one I would like to come to. You know, the week before a major it's ideal for me to come and play.

Q. So as Ryder Cup captain and all the other stuff that goes into that, first off, how pleased were you as captain to see what Rory did last week?

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Look, I was pleased. I won't say I wasn't. Certainly was not unexpected by me. Rory's always been an ebb and flow player. When he starts playing well he plays even better. For me I know it's selfish and I am only being a bit facetious, but I wasn't unhappy with his form because I was thinking he's hanging onto his form for later in the year.

You know, clearly Rory can play well all year. The way I look at it is that win last week brings back a bit of that swagger that we all need in the golf course. Rory is a very dangerous player with that. Hopefully he'll be a very dangerous player for at least -- for five more months.

Q. Hopefully you can be a dangerous player the rest of this week.

PADRAIG HARRINGTON: Thank you.

Q. Good luck the rest of the way.